Leveling device for standards



F. H. ARNlT 3,045,389

LEVELING DEVJCE` FOR STANDARDS July Z4, 1962 Filed March 2. 19604 t3,045,389 LEVELING DEVICE FUR STARDS Fred H. Arnit, Prospect Heights,Ill., assigner to Garcy Corporation, a corporation of Illinois FiledMar. 2, 1960, Ser. No. 12,368 5 Ciaims. (Cl. 45m-139) This inventionrelates to a leveling device for standards, and is particularlyconcerned with means for adjusting the height of a plurality ofstandards adapted to support any article of furniture to compensate forirregularities in alloor or other surface on which the article offurniture is to be supported.

-T he leveling device of the present invention is specifically adaptedfor use with tubular standards having a rectangular cross section, butmay be used with tubular standards of other cross sectionalconfigurations.

Leveling devices comprising an adjusting screw threaded into the bottomof the standards supporting an article of furniture are not new, butsuch leveling devices heretofore known are expensive to assemble withthe article of furniture. An additional `disadvantage of such structuresis the fact that the threads of the adjusting screws are exposed betweenthe bottom of the article of furniture and the floor `on which it issupported. The exposure of the thread makes the supporting structurelook cheap, and therefore detracts from the appearance of the article offurniture supported by such supporting members.

In accordance with the present invention, an interiorly threaded collarhaving a laterally extending ange at one end is welded to the web of ashort U-shaped member. The adjusting screw is then threaded into thecollar, and one of the U-shaped members is then drive litted into theopen end of each tubular-leg with anges extending outwardly from theouter edges of side walls engaging the lower edges of the standards.lThe length of the threaded portion of the adjusting is such that whenthe U-shaped member is positioned in the tubular standard as abovedescribed the threads of the adjusting screw are completely concealedwithin said standard.

The lower end portion of the adjusting screw that projects below thebottom of the -standard has the appearance of a solid cylindrical postof sucient diameter to provide adequate support for any article offurniture having tubular standards for supporting the furniture. Th@height of the leveling screw is adjusted as closely as possible beforethe 4screw is assembled with the standard. After the leveling structureis driven into place into one of the standards, the adjusting screw maybe turned t make any desirable iinal adjustment.

The structure by means of which the above and other advantages of theinvention are attained will be described in the following specication,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing a preferredillustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a table comprising a top supported byfour standards embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken substantiallyalong line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentaryivertical sectional view, taken` along the line3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line dil-d of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view of the adjusting screw;

FIG. 6 is a detail perspective view of the flanged collar into `whichthe adjusting screw is adapted to be threaded; and

FIG. 7 is a detail perspective view of the U-shaped member with theflanged collar welded thereto.

In the drawings, a table top 2 is supported by a tubular l United StatesPatent 3,045,389 Patented July 24, 1962 ice standard 3 at each cornerthereof. Although a table top is shown, it 'will be obvious that anyarticle of yfurniture may be supported by the tubular standards. It isalso obvious that the invention is not limited to standards having asquare cross section such as that shown in FIG. 4. The standard may beof any desired cross section having two walls that are parallel to eachother, without requiring modication of the leveling device. It is alsopossible to utilize the invention in connection with solid standardshaving a recess of suitable shape extending upwardly from the bottom ofeach standard.

The bottom of the standard is open to receive a U- shaped member dcomprising a web 5 and two side Walls d and 7 ydepending from oppositeends of said web and adapted to tit tightly within the lower end of thestandard. Preferably side walls 6 and 7 are so dimensioned that theU-shaped member must be driven into the standard. Flanges 8 and 9 extendoutwardly from the outer ends of side walls `6 and 7, respectively, toengage the lower end of standard 3. The engagement of anges 8 and 9 withthe lower end 4of the standard prevents the U-shaped member from being`driven too far into the standard, and also prevents the weight of thetable and articles placed thereon from forcing the-lower ends 0f thestandards down into engagement with the door. The leveling device wouldbe inoperative if the lower ends ofthe standard engaged the floor.

The U-shaped members are made of heavy `stock to enable them to supportthe weight of the table and any material that may be placed thereon. Theengagement of anges 8 and 9 with the lower end of the standard insuresthat the weight of the table or other article of `furniture will besupported by the leveling devices, and that such leveling devices willbe efective to regulate the height of the table.

A collar Iii threaded interiorly, as indicated at 11, iS provided with alaterally extending integral liange 12 at one end. Flange I2 ispreferably ywelded to web 5 with collar Iii in alignment with a hole 13provided in web 5. Although flange I2 may be welded to either surface ofweb 5, it is preferred to weld it to the underside thereof, with collarIIB projecting upwardly through hole 13 to provide a maximum spacebetween said walls 6 and 7 for the vertical movement of an adjustingscrew I4 that is threaded into collar 10 from the lower end thereof.

If desired, flange l2 may be welded to the upper surface of web 5 withcollar 1i! extending upwardly above web 5. Even though collar Iii doesnot project through aperture I3 in this embodiment, it is stillnecessary to provide aperture 13 because the adjusting screw mustproject through it to engage collar It?. Adjusting screw I4 comprises abase portion 15 having a maximum transverse dimension slightly less thanthe distance between the inner surfaces of side walls 6 and 7, and astem I6 projecting upwardly from the upper end of base portion I5. Baseportion i5 is preferably cylindricaLibut may have any desired crosssectional configuration. The peripheral surface of stem id'is threaded,as indicated at I7, to enable it to be interengaged withfthreads Il ofcollar lil. Stem I6 may be interengaged with threads I1 whether collarIt) projects upwardly or downwardly from web 5, but if the collarprojects downwardly the range through which adjusting screw I4 may bemoved is limited by the engagement of the upper end of base portion I5with the lower end of collar lil.

Threaded stem I6 is slightly shorter than the vertical length of sidewalls 6 and 7. Accordingly, whenever the adjusting screw is positionedin operative position relative to standard 3, with threaded stem I6engaging collar ld, the upper portion of base portion l5 is positionedbetween side walls 6 and 7, and the threaded stern is completelyconcealed within the lower portion of the standard. The base portion ispreferably as thick as possible, consistent with theY necessity of itsfitting in between walls 6 and 7, to provide a sturdy support for thetable or other article of furniture supported thereby.

The adjusting screw is preferably plated to provide an attractive finishfor the exposed portion of the screw. In order to protect the finish ofthe adjusting screw 14 and to facilitate rotation thereof, a recess 18is provided near the lower end of base portion 15. Any suitableinstrument can be inserted into recess 18 to provide a handle forrotating screw 14 in either direction. Preferably each adjusting screwis adjusted as closely as possible to the exact setting desired beforethe leveling device is inserted into one of the standards. The levelingdevice is then pushed or driven into a standard 3 until flanges 8 and 9engage the lower end of the standard. A force fit between side walls 6and 7 and oppositely disposed interior surfaces of the tubular standardis desirable so that if the table or other article of furnituresupported by the standards is lifted, the leveling device will not fallout of the standards.

When the table or other article of furniture stands upright, the Weightthereof is supported on the adjusting screws. Any irregularity in thesurface of the floor may be compensated for by rotating one or more ofthe screws in either direction, until table top 2 is level throughoutits area.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of the invention inconsiderable detail, it will be understood that the description thereofis intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many detailsof the structure may be modified or changed, without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A leveling device for tubular standards comprising a U-shaped memberhaving a web and two side walls depending from said web, said side wallsbeing adapted to fit tightly against oppositely disposed interiorsurfaces of a tubular standard, a flange extending laterally from theouter end of each of said side walls to engage the lower end of saidstandard to limit the extent of insertion of said U-shaped member insaid standard, a threaded collar projecting upwardly above said web,said web having a hole aligned with said threaded collar, and anadjusting screw comprising a base portion and a threaded stem projectingupwardly from the upper end of said base portion and engageable withsaid threaded collar, said threaded stern having a length slightly lessthan the length of said side walls, whereby it is completely concealedwithin the standard when it is engaged with said threaded collar, and aportion of said base portion is exposed below the bottom of saidstandard when the leveling device is secured in operative positionrelative to said standard.

2. A leveling device for tubular standards comprising a U-shaped memberhaving a web and two side walls depending from said web, said side wallsbeing adapted to fit tightly against oppositely disposed interiorsurfaces of a tubular standard, a flange extending laterally from theouter end of each of said side walls to engage the lower end of saidstandard to limit the extent of insertion of said U-shaped member insaid standard, said web having a hole therein, a threaded collarprojecting through said hole, and an adjusting screw comprising a baseportion and a threaded stem extending into said threaded collar, saidthreaded stern having a length less concealed within the standard whenit extends into said threaded collar, and a portion of the base portionof said adjusting screw being exposed below the bottom of said standardwhen the leveling device is secured in operative position in saidstandard.

3. A leveling device for tubular standards of rectangular cross section,said leveling device comprising a U-shaped member having a web and twoparallel side walls depending from said web, said side walls beingadapted to t tightly against oppositely disposed interior surfaces ofsaid tubular standard, a flange extending laterally from the outer endof each ofsaid side walls to engage the lower end of said standard, saidweb having a hole therein, a threaded collar having an integral lateralflange at one end, said flange being welded to said web with saidthreaded collar projecting upwardly through said hole, and an adjustingscrew comprising a base portion and a threaded stem projecting upwardlyfrom the upper end of said base portion in engagement with said threadedcollar, said base portion having a maximum transverse dimension lessthan the distance between said side walls and said threaded stem havinga length slightly less than the length of said side walls, whereby theupper portion of said base portion is positioned between said side wallswhen the leveling device is secured in operative position in saidstandard.

4. In combination with a tubular standard, a leveling device comprisinga U-shaped member having a web and two side walls depending from saidweb, said side walls being force fitted against oppositely disposedinterior surfaces of said tubular standard, flanges integral with saidside walls engaging the lower end of said standard, said web having ahole therein, a threaded collar projecting through said hole, a lateralflange integral with said collar welded to said web, and an adjustingscrew comprising a base portion and a threaded stem projecting upwardlyfrom the upper end of said base portion in engagement with said threadedcollar, said threaded stem being completely concealed within thestandard, and a portion of said base portion being exposed below thebottom of said standard.

5. In combination with a tubular standard, a leveling device comprisinga U-shaped member having a web and -two side walls depending from saidweb, said side walls being force fitted against oppositely disposedinterior surfaces of said tubular standard, flanges integral with saidside walls engaging the lower end of said standard, said web having ahole therein, a threaded collar projecting through said hole, a lateralllange integral with said collar welded to said web, and an adjustingscrew comprising a base portion having its upper end positioned betweensaid side walls and a threaded stem projecting upwardly from the upperend of said base portion in engagement with said threaded collar.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS948,708 Sheppard Feb. 8, 1910 1,849,835 Jantzen et al Mar. 15, 19322,272,848 Miller Feb. 10, 1942 2,890,545 Fiddler June 16, 1959 2,931,128Hers et al Apr. 5, 1960

